It’s Exciting to Snatch the Supporting Male Lead and Run Away [Quick Wear] - 48

 

IETSTSMLARA | It's Hard Being an Uncle | 48

"Lin Su, are you cheating?" someone from the back of the line stared at Lin Su's hands intently.

It's no wonder, the school grass's hands are perfect for hand modeling, with a handsome face, tall stature, good grades, and everything else. No wonder the girls like him.

"Ever heard a saying?" Lin Su moved his fingers and said, "A cheater who isn't caught isn't a cheater. If you think I'm cheating, you have to catch me in the act."

"Hey hey hey, everyone come over and watch. I don't believe we won't catch him today." The person shouted, and the surrounding students joined in the commotion.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Lin Su's movements were clean and swift, and the guy who had just shouted ended up losing.

"Can you cheat in rock-paper-scissors?"

"Drink, drink, drink!"

"Did anyone find anything?"

"No..."

Under the scrutiny of everyone, they couldn't find any traces of cheating, which was quite frustrating.

Lin Su looked at the guy drinking, his expression innocent and pure. Human muscles are coordinated; there are always some thoughts before the opponent makes a move. For someone with good dynamic vision, seeing through and winning in an instant is not difficult.

If they could catch him, that would be a miracle.

With each drink downed, Lin Su didn't touch a drop of alcohol, which made the students who hadn't yet experienced the harshness of society want to cry foul.

"No, we need to change the game, this one's too simple, let's play something more challenging."

"Yeah, that's right."

"How about using the dice on our phones? Odds or evens?" someone suggested.

"But you guys just said dice were gambling," Liang Heng, seeing the relentless determination of this group, felt concerned for his future brother-in-law.

Physical dice might have some tricks, but the ones on phones are purely luck-based.

"We're just drinking, not gambling, right, school grass?" someone joked.

Liang Heng was about to agree when Lin Su readily accepted, "Sure, I'm up for anything."

Electronic devices don't allow for any tricks, but cracking these small programs doesn't even take 0.0...01 seconds for a system; that's the advantage of having cheats.

With someone shaking the electronic dice, Lin Su politely said before they were revealed, "You choose first, I'll choose the opposite."

"Wow! Lin Su is so cool!"

"So domineering!"

The guy across from him smirked and said, "Odds."

Lin Su nodded, but when the dice were revealed, it showed even numbers.

The guy sighed, but the girls cheered.

"Lin Su is amazing!!!"

"He's my male god!!!"

"Just once, stay calm." Another person stepped up, confidently choosing odds again. "I don't believe it'll be even every time."

The dice rolled again, yet it was another set of even numbers.

One by one, they went up, stubbornly refusing to believe their luck. They guessed odd and even numbers over and over again, but Lin Su still didn't touch a drop of alcohol.

"I swear my mentality is collapsing!"

"The god of luck is with you."

"Our school's grass couldn't possibly be one of those lucky bastards who can get all the answers right even by tossing dice, right?"

"Have some confidence, sister, remove the 'could it be' and 'maybe'."

"Brother, how did you manage to get all the answers right?" A group of guys who had drunk themselves silly were now kneeling, begging for advice.

Lin Su shrugged. "I never even touched that phone from start to finish. Maybe I just got lucky."

Critical hit, all cleared!

Lin Su led his younger brother and brother-in-law away. In the taxi, Liang Heng endured and endured, finally couldn't resist asking humbly, "Brother, could you give me some pointers?"

Lin Su glanced at him and smiled. "If I hadn't been here today, how would you have handled it?"

"Even if I had passed out from drinking, I would still protect Xiao Ran." Liang Heng held onto the sleeping Lin Ran firmly.

His expression was very gentle, Lin Su knew he was trying very hard, and very devoted, but just based on these things, convincing Wei Yuan to accept him was still lacking a bit.

"Protecting him doesn't necessarily mean you have to do everything yourself." Lin Su took out a business card from his pocket and handed it over. "Lin Ran was raised by the Wei family as a precious son, treated by his uncle as his own son. The Wei family is a wealthy family, even when marrying off their daughters, they would choose someone from a similar background. Do you understand what I mean?"

Liang Heng took the business card handed to him, looking at the company name and Lin Su's identity on it, his pupils dilated significantly. He looked at Lin Su with a complex gaze. "If I'm not mistaken, Huasheng Technology is a company that is not inferior to the Wei Family."

Lin Su is actually the largest shareholder among them. How old is he? When did he start investing in these things? While they were still enjoying campus life, this person was already casually sitting in the top position, and also founded such a large asset.

"Yes, so you won't lose out by cooperating with me." Lin Su pinched his earlobe. "You probably don't want people to say you're not good enough for Lin Ran, right?"

Liang Heng's abilities were strong. If such a good seedling wasn't pulled in to work, then his role as a big brother-in-law would be in vain.

"Why are you helping me?" Liang Heng asked hesitantly. He hadn't grown to the point of being carefree like in the future, but Lin Su was forcing him to grow.

"Because Lin Ran likes you." Lin Su patted his shoulder and smiled. "As a man, once your relationship is exposed in front of your classmates, it means it won't be long before it reaches my uncle's ears. As an exchange for helping you, I want you to do something for me."

"What?" Liang Heng asked.

"Take the initiative to confess your relationship with Lin Ran to my uncle.," Lin Su said.

That should be enough to open the door to a new world for his uncle. As for one's worldview, it has to collapse before it can be rebuilt anew.

"Although I don't understand what you're up to, it's better to confess voluntarily than to be exposed forcibly," Liang Heng agreed. "Even without your help, I would still do it."

"Well, take this business card." Lin Su handed over a brand new business card.

The card was simple, with gold embossed letters, understated luxury. It was obviously not something shoddily made, and most importantly, it clearly had the name of Liang Heng, the General Manager of Huasheng Company, indicating that he had prepared it early on.

Liang Heng: "...I feel like I'm a pawn on your chessboard."

It felt subtle, frustrating, and felt a hint of inexplicable fear.

Can the things this person wants really escape his grasp? Does Lin Ran know what his brother is like?

"Well, didn't Xiao Ran tell you to have some confidence?" Lin Su chuckled. "Our cooperation is a secret as No. 1 between us, don't casually tell others."

"Got it." Liang Heng wasn't so foolish as to blab this secret everywhere, but after nodding, he realized something wasn't right. "Secret No.1? Are you also..." one?

Lin Su admitted without hesitation, "Is that strange?"

"Not strange," Liang Heng replied.

Although his big brother-in-law didn't look much like a "No.1," it was unbelievable that he possessed such power and ability.

Despite being born from the same womb as Lin Ran and being identical twins, why were their attributes so different? It's really baffling.

According to Lin Ran, his big brother-in-law has someone he likes. What kind of person would someone like him fall for?

When the car stopped at the gate of the Wei family villa, the door suddenly opened from inside. 

Liang Heng watched as the uncle of the Wei family, who exuded a chilly aura that could freeze people, frowned and approached. His mood visibly sank another level when he caught the scent of alcohol.

Coming out to him in front of such a person was truly testing his psychological limits. Just as he was distracted, he heard Wei Yuan ask, "Why did you drink so much?"

"There were a lot of classmates, Lin Ran drank more, Lin Su..." Liang Heng looked towards Lin Su, and his jaw almost dropped to the ground.

Just a moment ago, his domineering big brother-in-law now had flushed cheeks, clinging to the Wei family uncle's arm like a soft little rabbit. "I still want to drink..."

His voice carried the scent of alcohol and sweetness.

To Wei Yuan, it seemed like being coquettish, but to Liang Heng, it seemed like... an illusion.

"You are not allowed to drink next time you go out." Wei Yuan spoke to the drunken mess, but in his heart, even though Lin Su was clearly intoxicated, he found him strangely adorable.

"Uncle..." the drunk Lin Su leaned against his neck, breath hot against his skin. "Uncle... hug."

"Alright, stop messing around." Wei Yuan lifted Lin Su horizontally and glanced at Liang Heng. "Could you please help bring Lin Ran in?"

"Oh, sure." Liang Heng watched as the Godzilla-sized little rabbit... no, his big brother-in-law was carried into the Wei family villa. 

Suddenly, a very clear and terrifying thought popped into his mind.

Could his big brother-in-law actually be interested in Uncle Wei? 

Although Uncle Wei was indeed handsome, his demeanor always seemed like that of a top.  Most importantly, if they ended up together, would Lin Ran call him brother-in-law or Uncle Wei?

As for whether Lin Su was being abducted?

Absolutely impossible!

Even with that coquettish and adorable act, being carried in like that, couldn't he maintain a bit of dignity as a "No.1"?

Liang Heng's emotions were quite complex.

While Wei Yuan's worldview was still intact, Liang Heng's was on the brink of collapse.

Lin Su was carried into the room, still acting adorable and coquettish: "Uncle..."

"Um." Wei Yuan tried to release his hand to get him a towel to wipe his face, but his arm was held tight and he could hardly move it. He awkwardly coaxed, "Lin Su, let go first, I'll wipe your face for you."

"No need..." Lin Su held onto his arm even tighter.

"Then do you want to go straight to sleep?" Wei Yuan patted his back gently, worried that he might feel uncomfortable from drinking too much.

"Um..." Lin Su seemed obedient now, but he fumbled with his buttons for a while, seeming confused from the alcohol. He then grabbed a nearby blanket and tried to cover himself with it.

Wei Yuan's headache worsened as he tried to remove Lin Su's outer layer of clothing. When he reached to undo the buttons, he felt an unexpected subtle nervousness. As the coat was taken off, leaving behind a slightly disheveled and loose shirt, Wei Yuan closed his eyes before touching him again.

The youth lay on the bed, completely defenseless. The contours of his collarbones and smooth muscle lines were outlined by the shirt in a way that was incredibly captivating. Wei Yuan felt his breathing become heavy.

 Instead of unbuttoning the shirt, he simply loosened Lin Su's belt to make him more comfortable, then covered him with the blanket.

He gently closed the door behind him and went downstairs. Lin Ran had already been put to bed in his room, Aunt Jiang was preparing sobering soup, and Liang Heng had left.

"How is Young Master Xiao Su?" Aunt Jiang asked.

"He's asleep. Keep the sobering soup warm, please," Wei Yuan replied.

Aunt Jiang busily finished her tasks and went to rest, while Wei Yuan finally managed to calm his breathing. He slouched on the sofa, covering his eyes with his arm.

He didn't know what was happening to him lately. He always seemed to be distracted, lost in thoughts of the youth's every expression. 

When he snapped out of it, he often realized he was smiling, anticipating his return from gatherings and feeling anxious when he didn't show up. 

Although he was angry seeing him intoxicated, that clingy appearance made him feel inexplicably tender.

Everything had been going smoothly until just now. But then, just now, when he saw the youth lying on the bed so defenselessly, he had the sudden urge to tear open his shirt!

Was this an emotion a guardian should have? No.

What was wrong with him? Even if he hadn't indulged his desires for a long time, he shouldn't be fantasizing about a child.

Meanwhile, in Lin Su's room, when everything was quiet, he opened his eyes and murmured to himself: 【This won't do.】

【Can't the host take the initiative?】System 06 remembered that the hosts in the previous worlds were quite proactive.

Lin Su casually unbuttoned his shirt and threw it on the carpet, sighed lightly as he made sure he was comfortable lying down, then muttered, "This won't work."

Wei Yuan wasn't stubborn, but he was quite obstinate, and even people with strong self-control often used reason to control their emotions. 

Once Lin Su took the initiative, he might be lectured for being childish or Wei Yuan might directly send him abroad due to familial concerns.

Judging from how he handled the situation with that fraudulent cousin, it was clear that when Wei Yuan changed his mind, he wouldn't show any mercy.

So, Lin Su could only wait for him to come to his senses, to bite the bait himself, and to yearn for what he couldn't get.

Wei Yuan was a strong-willed man, and when he knew exactly what he wanted, he would definitely take the initiative. Lin Su just needed to sit back and enjoy the results.

【What should we do next?】System 06 had never encountered such a situation before.

【There's no need to rush.】 Lin Su wrapped himself in the blanket and went straight to sleep.

Uncle and nephew, the process of enlightenment was always accompanied by heartache, and due to their temperaments, Lin Su had no choice.

Wei Yuan leaned on the sofa all night without sleeping. His complexion didn't change much, but his shirt was somewhat crumpled, looking as if he had been the one drinking last night.

"Good morning, Uncle," Lin Su rubbed his head as he came downstairs. It wasn't an act; the body had experienced very little alcohol, so he really did have a headache after sleeping all night. "Why did you wake up so early, Uncle?"

"Well, I am getting older, I need less sleep," Wei Yuan said, looking at Lin Su's headache-ridden appearance. "There's hangover soup in the kitchen, go drink it quickly."

Lin Su brought a bowl out and sipped it slowly, like a cat drinking water. He drank seriously, and Wei Yuan involuntarily watched him seriously until Lin Su raised his head and asked with a smile, "Uncle, what are you looking at?"

Wei Yuan snapped out of his thoughts, furrowing his brow. "Don't drink so much alcohol in the future, it's bad for your health."

"Okay, I'll listen to Uncle," Lin Su smiled and finished the soup, then carried it to the kitchen to take a shower. He was in a good mood, humming a tune, but that smile disrupted Wei Yuan's thoughts that had been bothering him all night.

He was upset with his feelings for Lin Su, Wei Yuan consciously or unconsciously started avoiding people. But he still couldn't shake off the discomfort from their previous separation, leaving himself mentally exhausted without having the time to figure out the ins and outs of the situation.

And at this moment, Lin Ran dropped a bombshell on him.

Wei Yuan scrutinized Liang Heng, who stood beside Lin Ran. "What does it mean that you two are together?"

Two men together, because of love?

His gaze turned somewhat cold, and it was Liang Heng's first time facing such a look. Only now did he realize that Lin Su's words were all true. "I love Lin Ran very much, and I've worked hard to get into the same school as him. I want to be with him in the future, and I hope to have your approval."

"What if I don't agree?" Wei Yuan had previously thought highly of Liang Heng—he looked good, and his academics were good too. But now, he found everything about him displeasing.

"Then we'll still be together," Lin Ran firmly held Liang Heng's hand.

Previously, Wei Yuan only thought Lin Ran was gentle, but now he saw that he was also resolute.

Why not let them be together? Because this path was too difficult for two still relatively young individuals. They might be passionate and determined now, but how long could that determination last?

The stares of others, the murmurs in private, even mockery—these alone were enough to destroy the fragile bond between two people.

Although Wei Yuan didn't care for Lin Ran as much as he did for Lin Su, he had watched him grow up. He wouldn't bless this path blindly. "Okay, then let me ask you, who pursued first?"

There was a momentary change in Lin Ran's expression. Liang Heng was about to confess that it was him who initiated it, but in the face of his uncle's opposition, he couldn't say it out loud. "It's me."

"It's me!" Liang Heng also spoke up.

Lin Ran glanced at him and became anxious. "What are you doing?"

"I can't lie. It's true that I liked you first," Liang Heng smiled.

It was pure love and he wanted to be with him for a lifetime. He didn’t forget to consider all the things Lin Su mentioned. 

If the truth were to come out, without Lin Su's assistance, it would be effortless for Uncle Wei to separate them. Social status and family background wouldn't easily be smoothed over just because they were in a relationship. 

If it weren't for Lin Su's reminder, he might have harbored some resentment towards Wei Yuan today. But thinking about it, if he had a child who was pampered from a young age, he wouldn't be willing to hand them over to some poor boy who appeared out of nowhere with nothing but love.

"As a man, you should understand the meaning of responsibility." A love that is purely based on affection without considering responsibility, how long could such love last? 

Wei Yuan softened his stance slightly towards Liang Heng's recognition. "If you understand, I can provide you with a way to study abroad. Come back when you have achieved success, and if you still love Lin Ran by then, I'll agree to you being together."

Wei Yuan wasn't one to speak much, and indeed, he had intentions of splitting them up, but for now, it was mostly a test.

The rebellious phase was particularly evident during a child's adolescence, and Liang Heng could understand that. But Lin Ran couldn't quite grasp it, he felt somewhat like he was being punished unjustly. "I don't agree."

"I can understand your perspective, Uncle Wei," Liang Heng said in a way that surprised both Wei Yuan and Lin Ran. 

However, before they could respond, he continued, "But I can't agree with your approach.”

His words made Lin Ran smile and Wei Yuan's face darkened: “The Wei family is influential, and you are Lin Ran's guardian. I don't want to offend you in any way. I'll take responsibility, but I won't let him go. Please wait and see."

Wei Yuan took the business card handed to him, and his pupils contracted slightly when he saw the name on it. He immediately searched on the nearby computer and frowned when he confirmed that the information on the card was genuine. "You had this planned in advance, didn't you?"

Huasheng's influence rivaled that of the Wei family. It was a recent powerhouse in City A, and it was unexpected to find that Liang Heng had a significant connection to it. How was that possible?

If this were true, the boy's family background and power were indeed strong. Protecting Lin Ran wouldn't be a difficult task. However, men with wealth tend to stray. Who could guarantee that Liang Heng would remain loyal in the future?

In summary, Wei Yuan still didn't look favorably upon the person who was taking away his nephew.

But with Liang Heng's current capabilities, sending him forcibly abroad was no longer feasible.

Liang Heng knew well that the current situation was entirely thanks to his "big brother-in-law" helping him. He was grateful, even though he had always thought of him as a mix of Godzilla and a little white rabbit. Now, his big brother-in-law was like a magpie bridge built out of thin air.

However, the magpie bridge wasn't his own strength, and the time it bought him was time he needed to use to prove himself.

"I just want to say that I am serious about Lin Ran," Liang Heng said earnestly. "Please believe me, we're not just fooling around."

Lin Ran had caught a glimpse of the business card earlier and was still somewhat dazed by the revelation that his boyfriend might be a rich second generation.

Wei Yuan sat there, staring at the two, radiating cold air. Just as Liang Heng began to feel a chill down his spine, Wei Yuan spoke, "Then I'll be watching. If you dare to mistreat Lin Ran, no matter how powerful the forces behind you are, the Wei family will fight to the end."

Liang Heng understood this as acceptance. Smiling, he bowed, "Thank you, Uncle Wei."

Lin Ran, emerging from his earlier thoughts, looked at Wei Yuan in surprise. He had thought his uncle's previous opposition was merely out of a desire to control him. But the protective tone in that last sentence carried real weight. It felt as if he was being told he wasn't alone, that his uncle was his support, his family, not some indifferent figure he could easily detach from.

"Thank you, Uncle," Lin Ran smiled, "You're the best."

Wei Yuan's expression stiffened slightly. "Go on now, don't be too conspicuous. And for now, don't tell Lin Su about this."

The kids might not be able to handle it.

"Huh? But my brother already knows," Lin Ran blinked and said.

The atmosphere became momentarily silent. Wei Yuan, with some difficulty, asked, "He doesn't object?"

Lin Ran had been under Lin Su's watchful eye since childhood, protected exceptionally well. Sometimes, even Wei Yuan felt a twinge of envy towards that level of protection. How could Lin Su tolerate someone else taking his little brother away?

Scratching his cheek, Lin Ran said, "My brother said that we're almost adults, and as long as we take responsibility for the paths we choose, it's fine."

This made Wei Yuan's earlier stance seem less reasonable.

The atmosphere turned awkwardly silent. 

Liang Heng genuinely suspected that Lin Su had taken all of Lin Ran's emotional intelligence, leaving him with just intelligence and cuteness. 

After finally getting out of the office, Lin Ran felt relieved, saying, "I didn't know you were the young master of Huasheng. You never told me."

"I'm not. I just have a benefactor," Liang Heng clarified, knowing he couldn't rely on others forever.

"A benefactor?" Lin Ran's curiosity was piqued.

"He doesn't want it mentioned. You'll find out later," Liang Heng replied with a smile.

"Oh, okay. Well, thank your benefactor for me then," Lin Ran said, relieved. "Uncle sometimes worries too much about me."

It wasn't about control; it was about feeling that he hadn't grown up yet and wanting to protect him forever. Lin Ran almost misunderstood his uncle.

Although Liang Heng and Lin Ran's relationship was now out in the open, Wei Yuan still viewed Liang Heng with disdain, his attitude cold to the point of being icy whenever they met.

Initially, the situation was awkward for both of them. Liang Heng sought advice from Lin Su, but got a straightforward answer: "No one will ever look fondly upon the pig that steals their cabbage."

Even if that pig appeared to be a golden one.

Liang Heng humbly asked, "What should I do then?"

"You've already taken the cabbage. What’s the harm in facing a bit of hostility? Just be shameless," Lin Su replied succinctly.

From that point on, Liang Heng ignored Wei Yuan's cold demeanor, always greeting him with a smile. After all, as the saying goes, don’t hit a smiling face, and Wei Yuan's coldness gradually began to thaw.

Liang Heng's efforts were remarkably effective, and he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of admiration. His brother-in-law had Wei Yuan thoroughly figured out, proving himself a formidable opponent, akin to a brave soul scaling Mount Everest.

Wei Yuan, meanwhile, found it difficult to comprehend Lin Su's calm acceptance of the situation. "Don't you feel like your brother is being taken away?"

"Brotherhood is a lifelong bond. Having someone else to care for him is a good thing," Lin Su replied. He had raised many children, mostly in a hands-off manner, but he had a special fondness for Lin Ran because he had lost his father at a young age. 

So, he watched over him a bit more. However, the path Lin Ran would walk as an adult was his own to choose.

Lin Su's protective behavior wasn't rooted in deep emotional investment. On the contrary, Wei Yuan, who seemed indifferent and cold, actually cared for Lin Ran much more deeply. 

This disparity in emotional investment was why Wei Yuan felt reluctant to let go and harbored a disdain for the one taking away his "cabbage." Even though he knew he had to let go, familial ties aren't always easy to sever.

"You don't seem to have any objections to men being together," Wei Yuan asked impulsively, not understanding why he wanted to ask but feeling compelled to.

"That's right, I don't," Lin Su answered without hesitation.

Wei Yuan's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "Don't you find it disgusting?"

"No," Lin Su smiled gently, moving closer to Wei Yuan. "Do you, Uncle?"

"No, no, I don't," Wei Yuan instinctively denied.

His fingers itched with the urge to caress the boy's cheek, but rationality held back the urge rising from the depths of his heart. In the end, he simply patted Lin Su's head. "It's getting late..."

"Young Master Lin Su, is this letter in your clothes yours?" Aunt Jiang walked out of the laundry room, holding a pink letter in her hand.

The soft and beautiful color, seemingly still carrying the fragrance of a young girl, instantly stung Wei Yuan's eyes.

Was that... a love letter?

Lin Su stood up and went over to take it, saying, "Thank you, Aunt Jiang. I forgot to take it out of my pocket. Luckily, it wasn't washed."

"Is Young Master Su in love?" Aunt Jiang smiled kindly, her face full of teasing.

"No," Lin Su put the pink letter back into his pocket, seeming quite cherishing, "He hasn't agreed to be with me yet."

System 06 watched as the host put on a dramatic act. The letter, written on the chosen paper, he intentionally left in the pocket of the clothes to be washed, all to provoke the poor Uncle Wei.

Ah... truly a deeply tormented love.

Wei Yuan's blood ran cold instantly: "You have someone you like?"

Lin Su turned and smiled, "Yes, I'll bring him back to show you once I win him over."

His smile was as sweet as ever, but Wei Yuan only felt a deep bitterness in his heart. In that moment, what came to his mind was not a blessing, but the desire to make the person Lin Su liked disappear from this world.

"Will Uncle give us his blessing?" Lin Su leaned over with a smile and asked.

No, he definitely would not!

"...Yes." Wei Yuan's response was strained. When he said it, he felt like a hole had been punched in his heart.

When Lin Ran was with Liang Heng, he only worried about the child's future, but he didn't feel the same violent rage rising within him as he did now.

If he didn't understand his own feelings by now, he would truly be a fool.

His feelings for Lin Ran were care, family affection, but for Lin Su, it was different. He didn't know when it started, but the initial emotions had already changed.

He liked the person in front of him, liked him so much that he thought of him all the time, to the point where his heart ached.

But this was wrong. What would Lin Su think if he knew about these feelings? Disgust? Would he run away?

The pink letter was definitely from a girl. Lin Su could marry and have children; there was no need for him to go down this solitary path.

"Thank you, Uncle. I like you the most," Lin Su hugged him naturally. This time, Wei Yuan didn't dare to hug him back. He was afraid that if he lost control, he would want to imprison the young man in a place where only he could see him, ruining his life.

"I like you the most too," Wei Yuan said with unspeakable bitterness.

System 06, comparing the two, could hardly bear to watch. After Wei Yuan left, System 06 tentatively said, 【Host, it seems like you miscalculated.】

Uncle Wei clearly understood his feelings but didn’t make a move.

【I didn't expect to be defeated by his sense of responsibility,】 Lin Su roughly understood Wei Yuan’s thoughts.

In the original timeline, when he figured out his feelings for Lin Ran, it didn’t happen like this. His power and desire for control allowed him to act directly.

Is love about restraint?

If Wei Yuan just took one step forward, Lin Su would hold his hand and never let go, but the current outcome made Lin Su feel a certain pleasure.

【Good things take time. No need to rush,】 Lin Su said with a smile.

The next morning, just as he got up, System 06 hurriedly reported, 【Host, Uncle Wei went out for a blind date. He’s trying to find you an aunt.】

【It won’t be that easy to find,】 Lin Su got up to exercise, as if he didn’t know about this at all.

As he expected, Wei Yuan's blind date didn’t go smoothly. Despite being handsome, wealthy, and composed, his overly businesslike attitude put people off.

"I have only one requirement: after marriage, we live our own lives and do not interfere with each other," Wei Yuan said coldly.

He couldn’t harm Lin Su, nor did he want to deceive another person while harboring feelings for someone else.

Only a purely commercial marriage could make him completely give up.

The woman sitting opposite him was very beautiful. Initially, her attitude was kind, but after hearing this, her smile froze.

Even in arranged marriages for business purposes, many women still seek some emotional connection. Such a blunt rejection is practically the same as publicly saying, "I'm not interested in you."

After the meal, the woman waved goodbye with a formal smile. Zhai Lu covered her face, sat opposite Wei Yuan, and said, "Tang…you can't approach blind dates like this."

She had suddenly received a call from her son asking her to arrange a blind date. She thought he had finally come to terms with finding a partner, but one girl after another was being coldly rejected by him.

"Can't it be handled like a business transaction?" Wei Yuan frowned.

Zhai Lu observed his expression and keenly noticed the fatigue in his eyes. "Why do you suddenly want to go on blind dates? Neither your father nor I want to expand the Wei family business through marriage. You can choose whoever you want."

At fifty, even with the best care, wrinkles had appeared on her face. These were the marks of time, which spares no one.

After living more than half a lifetime, some things seem easier to understand. She didn’t want her son to follow the same path she and his father did.

Money is endless. It was originally intended to bring happiness to future generations, but sometimes, due to greed, the priorities get reversed.

Wei Yuan didn't respond. He just looked at his mother and realized she had indeed aged. She was in her fifties, and he was about to cross the threshold of thirty-five. 

At his age, coveting an eighteen-year-old was truly inappropriate.

Even if they were together, when Lin Su reached his current age, would he be able to bear looking at his wrinkled face?

The impossibility of it made Wei Yuan’s heart feel like it was constantly being fried in oil, but he had no other choice.

"Is there someone in your heart?" Zhai Lu asked tentatively. "Does she not like you? If she does, you should go after her. Don't let yourself regret it."

"Don't ask me anymore. Just help me find someone who can handle it like a business transaction without any entanglements," Wei Yuan said. He didn’t want to discuss his situation with Lin Su, as it made him feel like he was still holding onto a thread of delusional hope.

"Alright." Zhai Lu could sense his inner torment and pain, but her past experiences made her wary of intervening rashly.

【Host, the woman he’s meeting today is a lesbian and already has a partner. The chances of a successful match are very high.】System 06 reported diligently.

【Hmm, thank you.】 Lin Su fastened his shirt buttons while looking in the mirror.

A white shirt, jeans, and a pair of limited-edition sneakers—this outfit exuded youthful vitality.

Lin Su smiled at his reflection, his smile full of sunshine, almost saccharine sweet.

Ready to go, Lin Su hailed a cab to the location: 【It really feels like I'm catching a cheater.】

【Host, please don't misuse terms carelessly.】 System 06 emphasized.

This time, Wei Yuan's blind date was at a Western restaurant. With the system's advance notice, Lin Su had managed to get a job interview at the restaurant yesterday, making his appearance there legitimate and justified.

Outside, the sun blazed, but inside the restaurant, it was cool and quiet. The woman who entered held a delicate handbag and wore exquisite makeup, exuding a refined elegance.

She had just sat down when Wei Yuan and Zhai Lu walked in. Zhai Lu took a seat not far away, while Wei Yuan nodded at the woman and then sat opposite her.

"Hello, Wei Yuan. Nice to meet you." Wei Yuan's demeanor was strictly business.

The woman smiled, "I'm Wang Xinrui. I learned a bit about you from Auntie. You don't need to be so guarded with me."

"Learned a bit?" Wei Yuan questioned.

Wang Xinrui smiled, "A business marriage. After the wedding, we live our own lives and don't interfere with each other. To be frank, I have a partner who is also a woman. If you don't mind, we can collaborate."

"She doesn't mind?" Wei Yuan asked.

"My family values men more. She understands, and your situation matches our needs perfectly," Wang Xinrui replied candidly.

Wei Yuan felt a slight sense of relief, yet an inexplicable emptiness as well. He nodded and said, "Let's order first, and then finalize the details of the post-marriage agreement. Waiter."

"Alright," Wang Xinrui agreed without any issue.

"Good evening, here is our menu. Today's specials include fresh Australian lobster and escargot," Lin Su's voice was calm, accompanied by a polite smile.

But to Wei Yuan, the voice was unmistakably familiar. When he looked up and met Lin Su's smiling face, his heart momentarily stopped: "You!"

Lin Su's gaze shifted towards him, devoid of the usual affection and closeness, replaced by a formal courtesy: "Sir, would you like me to make some recommendations?"

His eyes were calm, but this very calmness felt like a whip lashing Wei Yuan's heart.

He must be disappointed because Wei Yuan had said he wouldn't marry, yet here he was, going on a blind date right in front of him.

Wei Yuan's hand involuntarily twitched. He tried to speak, his lips trembling: "Lin Su, you... let me explain."

"Explain what, Uncle?" Lin Su could have turned and walked away but chose to give Wei Yuan a chance.

Wei Yuan opened his mouth but found he had no explanation: "Why are you here?"

He felt a deep chill, as if even breathing was a luxury.

"I'm working, gaining life experience," Lin Su replied with a smile. "Didn't expect to experience something else first. Uncle, you said you wouldn't marry and that you liked me the most. You've broken all your promises."

He needed to make him understand that breaking promises, especially under the guise of doing it for someone's good, is not a habit to be indulged in.

Wang Xinrui, curious and having listened to their conversation, seemed to understand. She stood up and smiled, "It seems today is inconvenient. I'll take my leave."

"Miss Wang, please stay. If anyone should leave, it's me." Lin Su leaned closer to Wei Yuan, grabbed his neck, and kissed him on the lips. 

As Wei Yuan stood there in shock, Lin Su broke the kiss, removed his apron, and turned to leave. "Uncle, enjoy your blind date."

Lin Su left decisively. Wang Xinrui covered her mouth and exclaimed, "Wow!" Seeing Wei Yuan still in a daze, she poked him with her handbag and said, "Mr. Wei, shouldn't you go after him?"

Wei Yuan's mind was in chaos, but the prompt snapped him into action. He hurriedly got up and stumbled out, even knocking over a chair in his haste, completely disregarding his image.

Wang Xinrui called a waiter and took out a card, saying, "I'll cover the damages caused by the gentleman just now."

She thought to herself, coming to this blind date and witnessing such drama was totally worth it.

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